Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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My 4 month old puppy Zeus recently started limping on his front left leg. We took him to the vet and he said he thought it was a soft tissue injury like a minor tear and gave him some NSAIDs. Two days later I noticed that Zeus' left arm was double the size of his right arm. We took him into the ER immediately and they started broad spectrum antibiotics. Unfortunately, they didn't work and the infection began to spread to his neck and chest. The doctors told me if we didn't remove his leg he might very well die. It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, and his recovery is not moving along very quickly. I'm anxious as all hell. Please somebody tell me they understand my dilemma.
Hi there and welcome. We are so sorry you had to join our club! Zeus is such a young (and totally adorable!) guy.
When was the amputation? And what do you mean by recovery isn't moving along very quickly?
Tell us more about what's going on so we can help put your mind at ease. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh gosh! This is crazy!!! So sorry your adorable Zeus had this horrible infection.
Recovery from amputation is pretty rough the first couple of weeks. It's MAJOR surgery and needs proper pain management . What kinds of pain meds is Zeus taking?
Is he eating , drinking, pooping, peeing?
Right now your Zeus just needs SHORT leashed potty breaks and then rest, rest, rest and more rest. No steps, no jumping up on things. Jist take things sloooow and easy. We KNOW it's hard to be patient., but we also k ow the recovery doesn't last furever and Zeus will be Zeus again soon!
Of you have hardwood floors, you'll want nonslip scatter rugs for traction .
STAY CONNECTED YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
He seems to be off and on. When I try to put his harness on so I can help him distribute the weight properly he yelps loudly like I'm hurting him. Apparently he did walk outside all on his own to go potty today so that's encouraging. How long does it typically take for an amputee to re-learn how to walk?
Generally, not always, it takes about two-plus weeks to recover from the surgery itself, and about one month for a tripawd ro adjust to his new gait.
I don't mean to be repetitive, but when was his amputation and what pain med is he on?
When putting in the jarness,nis it anywhere near the incision? Would he be better to use a towel sling for now if that seems to be causing pain when going through the gyrations of putting it on?
Keep us posted so we can help you further. You'll get through this and it WILL get vetter!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hi Zeus and family,
I am very sorry your have to go through amputation but please rest assured your boy will recover and he will adapt to his new normal.
My Great Dane also lost her front leg and shoulder and it took her 2-3 weeks to adjust to life on three but once she did she was back to her new normal lovely self and did everything, absolutely everything she did before except going up and down stairs.
She was five years old and weighed 77kg at the time of amputation.
She wore a tshirt under the harness to protect the incision so maybe you could try that with Zeus?
At the moment I'm not on the site a lot due to personal issues but please fell free to PM me if you want a chat, I'd be very happy to.
I'll be adding a link with a couple of videos of my girl on three, I'm sure you'll feel reassured as to all Zeus will be able to achieve!
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Here it is:
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Once you see Eurydice on three you will not doubt your pup! Your question about re-learning how to walk... it takes time for them to become accustomed to their new "gait" so to speak, but most of them get up and walk at least short distances to walk. Because her incision is so new, it may be tender for a harness. How much does he weigh?
You may want to try taking a towel and scooting it under his chest tummy area and hold it up on either side to help him walk without putting the harness on yet. He is also very young and between the infection, anesthesia, pain medication, and his age may just not understand what is going on and some pups are very vocal when they are afraid, confused.
Did they determine what actually happened with his leg? Was it infection that caused all of this? Will be looking to read more of Zeus' story.
Jackie and Huck 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Well I have an update. Zeus is cruising around like he never lost a step! I believe his harness was brushing up against his incision site so he just eschewed the help altogether. I'm getting him a harness so I can give assistance in the future. His amputation was on Satirday the 10th of December. Watch him go!
WOW!!! GOOD BOY ZEUS!!! This is such a great video that beautifully illustrates how resilient our pups are!😎😎
And yes, he sat down because he was tired......very smart boy!! That was quite amazing to see him handle that ittle walk like a Champ!
Keep the videos coming! Zeus is a RockStar!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Zeus looks awesome! Thanks for the update, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
WONDERFUL 😍😍😍 what a gorgeous pup 🐾
I have no doubt he will be a tornado on three soon 😉
Lots of hugs and cuddles 😘🐮✨💫🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Oh LOOK at him! What a gorgeous pup, and look at him go! Thank you for that awesome update, he looks great 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Hi Zeus and family,
How is Zeus ?
And you ???
Hope no news is good news and wishing you a happy Christmas and 2019 full of joy and above all good health !
Hugs and cuddles 😘😘💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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